The Saadian Tombs are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Marrakech. The tombs were opened to the public in 1917 when they were also discovered. Sultan al-Ghalib Abdullah built the first tomb in which the body of his father and the founder of the Saadi Sultanate, Muhammad al-Sheikh, was laid to rest. The first leader of the Saadian dynasty died in 1557, and the location of the tomb was chosen because of the proximity of the important Kasbah mosque, which dates from the 12th century.
Sultan Ahmed el Mansour was the fifth and last ruler of the Saadi dynasty. He was responsible for the construction of many of the main buildings in the garden tomb complex. He wanted to build memorials in order to pay tribute to his neighbors and those who ruled before him. Of course, he himself planned to be buried here. Although he worked on beautifying earlier tombs, his own tomb was the most impressive.
The tombs date from the end of the 16th century and are located in an enclosed garden, which visitors can access through a small passage. In the same garden you will see over a hundred tombs that are beautifully decorated with colorful mosaics. Saadian tombs are a place of eternal rest for a total of 60 members of the Saadi dynasty.
The most important tomb building is the main mausoleum. In this crypt are the graves of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansour and his family. The mausoleum consists of three rooms, and the most famous one is the room with twelve pillars, in which the sultan's children are buried. The graves of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansour and his family are located in the main tomb chamber.
This is one of the most important attractions in Marrakech and we advise our visitors to take an hour to visit it.
Ticket price for the Saadian Tombs
Regular ticket price is 70 drahma
Working hours of the Saadian Tombs
Every day from 9 am to 12 pm, and from 2:30 pm to 6 pm.
